Yamaha Motor New Zealand has appointed a leading car industry manager to head up its motorcycle, ATV and SSV sales team.

Wallis Dumper is the man who turned around the fortunes of Subaru in NZ and more recently managed the Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo brands.

The 51-year-old motorcycle enthusiast also managed the motorcycle business for Moller Yamaha in the early 90s and those efforts saw him recruited to lead Subaru for a decade in New Zealand.

“During those times the Yamaha culture really impressed me. It was truly an international family and I have always kept in touch with the team and made sure I attend Moto GP events,” says Waikato-born Dumper.

A recognised auto-industry leader and former president of the New Zealand Motor Industry Association he maintains a keen interest in motor sport and remains a director of the Rally New Zealand.

Dumper is also keen to drive Yamaha business in NZ:

“Our economy shows positive signs and I see tremendous opportunity for us in the agricultural sector given Yamaha’s long history and legendary reputation with models like AG100, Big Bear and Grizzly,” he explains.

“I have most recently been dealing with Kiwi business men and women who choose to keep toys worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the basement garage. It’s not too big a mind shift to see some one having a motorcycle that will outperform, or out-cruise, most super cars. Or a trail bike that outhauls the biggest 4×4 on a forest track … or enjoy both vehicles for less than a tenth of the price of some of these big boys’ toys. The depreciation alone on some cars would buy you an R1 and a TT-R for weekends”, he

comments.

“Business is about people and the great thing about New Zealand we have great dealers who are passionate about being Kiwi. The local Yamaha dealer employs local people, in local towns servicing local farmers, commuters or enthusiasts. We need to make sure our Yamaha dealers are sustainable and the biggest profit we can all get from that is to have some fun on the way,” continues Dumper.

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